Finn is only too happy to go, to escape his current misery, but is nonetheless apprehensive about returning to a place where there are many negative undercurrents for him. Because Finn was born and grew up on the island, and because he speaks Gaelic, the police computer (HOLMES) has suggested that he is assigned to help the investigation. A man has been murdered there, in a similar fashion to a crime committed a few months ago in Edinburgh. He’s recalled to work and sent to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, where he is from. There is a strong Nordic element to the novel from the famous Lewis chessmen which are thought to have been created by Norwegian Vikings, to the ways of life of the islanders which have much in common with their Scandinavian neighbours (not to mention the local weaving craft, responsible for Sarah Lund’s jumpers).Īn Edinburgh police detective, Finn Macleod, is on leave because of a devastating family tragedy. Yet, it’s a very good book indeed, I think, mainly for its atmosphere and dramatic sense. However, I am not sure why I liked it so much, as the book is exceedingly slow, very little happens in the detective story sense, and the denouement is a bit of a cheat. I thoroughly enjoyed The Blackhouse, so much so that I have immediately ordered the sequel, The Lewis Man.
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